Oxfam's response to the UN's review of funds needed for Syria

In response to the UN's review of funds needed for Syria and the regional refugee crisis today, Andy Baker, who leads Oxfam's response to the crisis in Syria and Iraq, said:

"Atrocities continue unabated in Syria with more and more people fleeing their homes every day. Refugees are living in a state of emergency, unable to afford high rent and food costs. With the United Nations predicting 1.5 million more Syrian refugees by the end of the year, we need an outpouring of funds to prevent cuts in lifesaving support.

"Oxfam is having to cut monthly payments to more than 6,500 people in Jordan due to dwindling funds. We've been providing up to $260 per month to the poorest Syrian refugee families and now this lifeline, which many families use to repay debts or keep children in school, has to stop.

Neighbouring countries, such as Jordan and Lebanon, have been incredibly generous in accepting refugees and are now buckling under the strain of the crisis. There is a desperate need for governments around the world to step up and provide more aid and resettlement options for refugees."